Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'hallucination'

English Word: hallucination

Key Russian Translations:

• галлюцинация [ɡəlʲʉt͡sʲɪˈnaʦɨjə] - [Formal, used in medical and psychological contexts]

Frequency: Low (This term is not commonly used in everyday conversation but appears frequently in specialized fields like psychology, medicine, or literature.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires familiarity with borrowed words from English/Greek roots and basic Russian noun declensions, as per CEFR standards.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

галлюцинация: [ɡəlʲʉt͡sʲɪˈnaʦɨjə]

Note on галлюцинация: The stress falls on the fourth syllable ("naʦɨjə"), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the Russian palatalized consonants (e.g., 'лʲ' sounds like a soft 'l'). Practice the rolling 'r' in casual speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A hallucination is a sensory experience of something that does not exist in reality, often associated with mental health or altered states.

Translation(s) & Context:

• галлюцинация - Used in formal contexts such as medical diagnoses or psychological discussions, where it refers to perceptual distortions without external stimuli.

Usage Examples:

• Пациент жалуется на галлюцинации, которые появляются по ночам.

  The patient complains of hallucinations that appear at night. (This example shows the word in a medical context, describing recurring experiences.)

• В фильме герой борется с галлюцинациями после травмы.

  In the movie, the hero struggles with hallucinations after the injury. (Illustrates usage in narrative or fictional settings, highlighting psychological effects.)

• Галлюцинация может быть вызвана усталостью или лекарствами.

  A hallucination can be caused by fatigue or medications. (Demonstrates the word in explanatory sentences, often in educational or scientific writing.)

• Она описала галлюцинацию как яркий, но пугающий опыт.

  She described the hallucination as a vivid but frightening experience. (Shows the word in personal narratives, emphasizing subjective perception.)

• Доктор диагностировал галлюцинацию как симптом заболевания.

  The doctor diagnosed the hallucination as a symptom of the illness. (Exemplifies usage in professional medical reports, linking to broader symptoms.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Галлюцинация" is a feminine noun (from the first declension in Russian). It follows regular noun inflection patterns, which means it changes based on case, number, and gender. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: This word does not have irregular inflections, making it relatively straightforward for learners, but always pay attention to the soft sign (ь) which affects pronunciation.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • иллюзия (illuziya) - Similar but often implies a deliberate trick or deception, whereas галлюцинация is more involuntary.
  • видение (vidyeniye) - Used for visions or apparitions, typically in a spiritual or dream-like context.
• Antonyms:
  • реальность (realnost') - Refers to actual, tangible reality as opposed to imagined perceptions.
  • факт (fakt) - Denotes a verifiable fact or truth.

Related Phrases:

• Зрительная галлюцинация - Visual hallucination; refers to seeing things that aren't there, common in discussions of mental health.
• Слуховая галлюцинация - Auditory hallucination; used when describing hearing non-existent sounds, often in psychiatric contexts.
• Галлюцинация под влиянием веществ - Hallucination under the influence of substances; a phrase for drug-induced experiences, with implications in addiction recovery.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "галлюцинация" directly corresponds to the English "hallucination" as a borrowed term, primarily used in formal or technical settings. Unlike in English, where the word can be more casual, Russian speakers often reserve it for medical or scientific contexts to avoid stigma. When choosing between synonyms like "иллюзия," opt for "галлюцинация" if the experience is pathological. Grammatically, ensure proper declension based on sentence structure, e.g., use the genitive case after prepositions like "из-за" (because of). English learners should note that Russian culture emphasizes precision in psychological terms, so this word pairs well with verbs like "видеть" (to see) or "испытывать" (to experience).

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Mispronouncing as "галлюцинация" with incorrect stress (e.g., stressing the wrong syllable).
  Correct: [ɡəlʲʉt͡sʲɪˈnaʦɨjə] - Focus on the palatalized 'лʲ' to sound natural.
  Explanation: English speakers often overlook Russian stress patterns, leading to confusion in communication.
• Mistake: Using "галлюцинация" interchangeably with "иллюзия" in all contexts.
  Correct: Reserve "галлюцинация" for involuntary perceptions and "иллюзия" for intentional deceptions.
  Explanation: This error can alter the meaning, making descriptions less accurate in professional settings.
• Mistake: Forgetting to decline the noun, e.g., saying "из галлюцинация" instead of "из галлюцинации."
  Correct: Always adjust for case, as in "из галлюцинации" (from the hallucination).
  Explanation: Russian grammar requires declension, and neglecting it can make sentences grammatically incorrect.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, terms like "галлюцинация" are often linked to literary and historical contexts, such as in the works of Fyodor Dostoevsky, where hallucinations represent inner turmoil or spiritual crises. This reflects a broader cultural fascination with the psyche, influenced by Soviet-era psychology and Orthodox mysticism, helping users understand the word's deeper connotations beyond mere medical definitions.

Related Concepts:

• иллюзия
• видение
• психоз
• реальность